Partners Join Microsoft Executives to Discuss Business Strategy And New Investments at Premier Annual Partner Event

July 11, 2002
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LOS ANGELES, July 11, 2002 — Nearly 3,000 Microsoft Corp. partners from around the world are expected to arrive in Los Angeles today as they prepare to attend Microsoft®
Fusion 2002, Microsoft’s premier partner event, July 12–15. Partners will join more than 600 Microsoft executives to discuss business strategy for the coming fiscal year.

This year’s conference, titled “Shared Success,” will emphasize the breadth and depth of partner engagement and enablement that is supported throughout Microsoft business units. The event also will highlight new revenue streams for partners with Microsoft .NET, as well as new go-to-market plans and revenue opportunities in key solution areas. In addition, Microsoft will preview its technology for the next six to 18 months and give details about new investments the company is making in partner sales engagement.

“We’re very excited for this year’s event,” said Rosa Garcia, general manager of the Worldwide Partner Sales and Marketing Group at Microsoft. “Fusion is an incredible opportunity for us to speak candidly and directly to our partners about how we can be successful together in the year ahead.”

At Fusion, Garcia will introduce to partners Microsoft’s incoming channel executive, Allison Watson, who is slated to take the helm as vice president of the Worldwide Partner Sales and Marketing Group on Aug. 1. Garcia will open the event with the announcement of a major channel resource investment to begin this fiscal year.

Executive Keynotes

Fusion 2002 will feature the following keynote presentations by Microsoft executives:

Garcia and Watson will announce new investments in partner marketing and support, technical sales readiness, and engagement programs.

Gordon Mangione, corporate vice president of the SQL Server (TM) Team , will discuss how partners can leverage fiscal year 2003 .NET Server plans and go-to-market plans.

Sanjay Parthasarathy, corporate vice president of the Strategy and Business Development Group, will discuss the .NET development platform and architectural guidelines for partners.

Bill Veghte, corporate vice president of the Windows .NET Server Group , will discuss Windows®
client and server opportunities for partners. Specific topics will include joint go-to-market opportunities, product timelines and road maps, security, and the Windows .NET Server release.

Jeff Raikes, group vice president of Productivity and Business Services , will showcase how Microsoft is developing tools and solutions for information workers and discuss new productivity investment opportunities for its partners.

Juha Christensen, corporate vice president of the Mobility Group , will discuss the emergence of smart wireless devices, the importance of software in this emerging segment, and Microsoft’s vision for empowering a new economy around the development, distribution and consumption of wireless data software and services.

Orlando Ayala, group vice president of Worldwide Sales, Marketing and Services , will discuss worldwide sales and marketing strategies for fiscal year 2003 as well as key revenue opportunities for partners.

Ralph Young, vice president of the Enterprise Partner Group , will discuss enterprise partner strategy and new investments in support and programs for enterprise partners.

Lindsay Sparks, corporate vice president of Worldwide Small and Medium Business (SMB) , will discuss SMB partner strategy and new investments to engage and support SMB partners.

Doug Burgum, senior vice president of the Business Solutions Group , will discuss Business Solutions strategy and partner opportunities for fiscal year 2003. Burgum’s keynote will coincide with Microsoft’s acquisition today of Denmark-based Navision Software A/S, a global provider of integrated business solutions. Navision will join Microsoft Business Solutions, one of the company’s seven core businesses.

Steve Ballmer, CEO , will discuss Microsoft’s recommitment to its partner community, the company’s vision for responsible industry leadership, and innovative new technologies for selling solutions.

Partner Awards

Microsoft will announce the winners for the fifth-annual global Microsoft Certified Partner Awards at Fusion. Forty-five finalists in nine categories have been determined, based on their innovative use of Microsoft technologies to develop exemplary solutions for their customers. The winners will be announced and honored on July 12.

Also during Fusion, Microsoft will announce the winners of the Microsoft Project 2002 Business Value Solution Challenge (BVC). The challenge recognizes solution providers, independent software vendors and other Microsoft industry partners for building compelling enterprise-class customer solutions on Microsoft Project. The BVC drew more than 35 entries, reflecting a strong show of support for the recent move of Microsoft Project into the enterprise project management arena. Eight prize-winning solutions will be announced at a ceremony on July 12.

About Fusion

Since its debut in 1996, Microsoft Fusion has become the largest and most anticipated worldwide partner event of the year, providing valuable information, networking opportunities and product exhibits for Microsoft partners. More information and event registration can be found at http://www.microsoftfusion.com/ .

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.

Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

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